Two more test positive for COVID-19

There are now 139 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Guyana, while the number of persons who have been tested for the virus has increased from 1489 to 1499.

This is according to the latest Ministry of Public Health COVID-19 figures which were released yesterday. There are now 66 persons in institutional isolation and 2 persons in institutional quarantine while 2 persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit. The number of recovered cases remains at 62.

On Monday, the 11th death as a result of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was disclosed. The latest COVID-19 fatality is 59-year-old former teacher of Moruca in Region One, Vincent Torres. According to the Department of Public Information, he tested positive after he went to the Kumaka District Hospital last Wednesday presenting symptoms of the virus and died on Friday as a result of COVID-19 complications.

Torres is now the second case to be recorded from Region One and the first death for the region. Reports indicate that the man who was also employed by the Guyana Elections Commission as an Assistant Returning Officer for the Region had travelled to Georgetown a few weeks ago.

The last COVID-19 death prior to that of Torres was recorded on May 6th and was that of an elderly man from the Palms Geriatric Home in Georgetown. How he came to be infected has not been explained but infections at the home have since risen dramatically. A total of 11 residents and a Patient Care Assistant have now been confirmed as COVID-19 positive.